NEBRASKA WOMAN’S 
SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION 


EQUAL SUFFRAGE PROGRAM 

FOR THE 

SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADES 
NEBRASKA PUBLIC SCHOOLS 


Presented by the Education 
Committee of the Nebraska 
Woman’s Suffrage Association 


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Copyright, 1914 

NEBRASKA WOMAN’S SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION 
All Rights Reserved 


APR -I 1914 



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Seventh and Eighth Grades 


3 


NEBRASKA WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION 

Mrs. Draper Smith, President, Omaha, Nebraska 


Education Committee 

Chairman, Mrs. Margaret E. Thompson Sheldon, 1319 
South 23rd St., Lincoln, Nebraska 

Mrs. Annie Babcock Elliott, 1700 N St., Lincoln, Nebraska 

Professor Alice H. Howells, University of Nebraska, Lin¬ 
coln, Nebraska 

Miss Jeanette McDonald, Omaha High School, Omaha, 
Nebraska 

Miss Harriet Muir, Lincoln Public Library, Lincoln, Ne¬ 
braska 

Mrs. Nellie May Schlee Vance, 2632 Garfield St., Lincoln, 
Nebraska 


Associate Members 

One associate member of the committee in each educa¬ 
tional institution of Collegiate or Academic rank in the 
state. 


4 


Equal Suffrage Program for the 


The success of this program depends in large part upon 
the enthusiasm of the teacher and the thoroughness with 
which teacher and students do their parts of the work. 

It is recommended that the entire program be commit¬ 
ted to memory and given in a bright, spirited, distinct 
manner. 

It is further recommended that the program be given 
in the evening, whenever possible. 

When local touches or coloring can be added so much 
the better. 

When given in schoolhouses it might be well to have a 
map of the United States, with the equal suffrage states 
colored white, drawn upon a blackboard with the legend 
“Shall Nebraska be a white state next November?” Tell¬ 
ing equal suffrage sentiments might also be written upon 
the blackboards. 

The committee will be glad to hear from the teacher 
of each school which presents this program in regard to 
the number of persons in the audience, the number of voters 
and any comments or criticisms upon the program as a 
whole. 


(The Education Committee has prepared these programs: one 
for mature persons, one for high schools, one for 7th and 8th grades. 
Address Nebraska Woman’s Suffrage Association, Lincoln, Ne¬ 
braska.) 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


5 


PROGRAM 

Song—“Bring the Glad New Bugle, Folks” 
Recitation—“A Suffrage Baby” 

Recitation—“It Doesn’t Unsex Her” 
Recitation—“Child Labor” 

Song and March—“The Little Suffragists” 
Recitation—“Where Shall It Be?” 

Tableau—“Five Voters” 

Recitation—“The Old Settler’s View” 
Song and March—“A Song of Suffrage” 
Tableau—“Uncle Sam’s Gallantry” 
Recitation—“Equal Suffrage Sentiments” 
Play—“Petitioning in Harvey” 

Song—“We’ll Win, People” 


6 


Equal Suffrage Program for the 


BRING THE GLAD NEW BUGLE, FOLKS 

(For the entire school. Air: “Marching Through Georgia.”) 

1 

Bring the glad new bugle, folks, 

We'll sing another song, 

Sing it with a spirit, that will help the cause along; 

Sing it as our mothers sing it 
Forty thousand strong, 

While we go marching for suffrage. 

Chorus 

Hurrah, hurrah, we'll bring the jubilee, 

Hurrah, hurrah, we're suffragists you see, 

So we’ll shout the chorus, 

From Nebraska to each sea, 

While we go marching for suffrage. 

2 

Women surely have some rights but they'll never get the 
vote, 

So the saucy “antis" say and 'tis a handsome boast, 

But they do forget, alas! to reckon with our host, 

While we are marching for suffrage. 


Chorus 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


7 


A SUFFRAGE BABY 

(To be spoken by a little child) 

I’m an equal suffrage baby, 

And I need my mother's vote. 

She always knows what’s good for me, 
And that’s a thing to note! 

They say my milk’s in politics, 

My food and all I wear, 

Street cleaning—sanitation— 

Let my mother do her share. 

So please give her the ballot, 

For she loves her home and me, 

And can’t help you adjust things 
Without voting, don’t you see? 


IT DOESN’T UNSEX HER 

It doesn’t unsex her to toil in a factory 

Minding the looms from the dawn till the night; 
To deal with a schoolful of children refractory 
Doesn’t unsex her in anyone’s sight; 

Work in a store—where her back aches inhumanly— 
Doesn’t unsex her at all, you will note, 

But think how exceedingly rough and unwomanly 
Woman would be if she happened to vote! 



Equal Suffrage Program for the 

CHILD LABOR 

No fledgling feeds the father bird! 

No chicken feeds the hen! 

No kitten mouses for the cat— 

This glory is for men. 

We are the wisest, strongest race— 

Loud may our praise be sung!— 

The only animal alive 

That lives upon its young! 

—Charlotte Perkins Gilman . 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


9 


THE LITTLE SUFFRAGISTS 

(Air: “Solomon Levi.” From any college song book.) 

(If it is possible, let eight, twelve or sixteen little girls give a 
simple marching drill carrying pennants or banners upon which the 
words “Votes for Women” are written. A flag, broom or wand drill 
will be found helpful. At the close of the drill, let them march to the 
front of the stage and sing.) 


1 

Oh, we’re the little suffragists, 

Who long to do our part, 

And take the stand, our mothers take, 

The cause we know by heart, 

Our daddies long have had full sway, 
But they’ll soon lose that chance, 

When we get out to win the votes, 

For mothers and sisters and aunts. 

Chorus 

Oh, equal suffrage,—suffrage tra la, la, la, 
Hurrah for women’s right to vote, 

Tra, la, la, la, la, la, tra, la, la, la, la, la, 

Oh we’re the little suffragists, 

Who long to do our part (etc. as first stanza). 

2 

The platform that we stand upon 
You’ll find is good and true, 

We want the best men in the land, 

The finest women, too, 

To serve our country, school or home 
With better rights for all 
And make America the land 
That people will extol. 


Chorus 


10 Equal Suffrage Program for the 

WHERE SHALL IT BE? 

(To be recited by a girl. Where that is not possible, the teacher 
might give it as a reading.) 

We're going to move out west! 0, goody, goody, goody! 
When? Next spring, father says. But we don't know ex¬ 
actly where yet. Father says that depends upon how the 
men of Nebraska vote next November! Let me tell you how 
it is: You see there are nine of us: Father and mother, 
John, Bess, George, Julius and Julia the twins, Mildred and 
myself. I'm next oldest to Bess. Then, there's Shock; but 
mother says we mustn't count our dog when we are count¬ 
ing ourselves. We call him Shock, for that's what he did 
to mother when she came home after being gone a few 
days and found him here. So, without counting Shock, there 
are nine of us. Father says such a big family should grow 
up on a big farm and then he thinks the west is best for 
boys and girls to grow up in and for women and men to 
live in! Father has traveled all over the country many 
times and knows how things are. Mother laughs and says, 
“I think just as father does about the west." And so it is 
decided that we are going west, and we children can scarcely 
wait! Mother said to father today, “Richard, don't you 
think we might decide now in which state we shall make our 
home?" And father replied, “All right, Emily; get the 
children and the atlas and let’s talk it over." At that Bess 
and John and George and I ran for the atlas. Mother took 
our fat, brown-eyed, curly-haired baby Mildred in her arms, 
and Julius and Julia, the twins, climbed up on father's 
knees. Then we all listened with both eyes and ears! For, 
haven’t we older children stretched out on the library rug 
for hours over this same map of the United States trying 
to decide where our new home is to be. We never can agree, 
for George wants to live in the mountains where he can hunt 
bears, and Bess likes Louisiana because it is colored so 
prettily on the map and has such a pretty sound, and John 
likes Oklahoma best because most Indians live there, and 
I want to live in some state where our nearest town will 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


11 


be “Lincoln,” for Abraham Lincoln was born on my birth¬ 
day and I would have been named “Lincoln” if I had been 
a boy. Now, there we were, all crowded around father and 
mother with the atlas in father’s hands, and we were really 
going to decide where we are to live! Father said calmly, 
“I think each individual should have the largest possible 
opportunity to develop his individual life. As I look at 
you children you seem to be different in mental and physical 
qualities, but equal in intelligence and moral purpose. We 
ought to go where each of you may enjoy the right to earn 
an honest living and to protect your property with your vote 
as well as with your influence. You should grow into inde¬ 
pendent men and women who have a right to express their 
ideas with pen and voice and vote for the good of human 
society. I wish all this for each of you and for your mother 
first of all. Then, naturally, we must go to one of the equal 
suffrage states. Equal suffrage will come here in New 
York and in every other state in time—but I wish for your 
mother the opportunity very soon to express in the effective 
way of the ballot-box some of her splendid ideas, and I wish 
you children to be brought up in the broad and inspiring 
atmosphere of equality before the law. We know that each 
of these states has very strong, good qualities,” he added, 
“otherwise it would not be an equal suffrage state. For 
our purpose today, however, we will consider only those 
qualities of each state which makes it prohibitive for us as 
a home.” Mother looked up happy and proud and said, 
“But which state, father? Shall it be Illinois?” “No, not 
Illinois,” said father, “although Illinois is sure to give her 
people full equal suffrage soon. In Illinois land is held at 
too high a price to attract the home-making farmer; the 
mud is too deep and Illinois isn’t really ‘out west’ any more.” 
“How about Alaska, then ?” said mother, her eyes twinkling. 
“Alaska, Mother, Alaska! take you and these babies to 
Alaska where there are nine months of winter every year 
and where the sun goes out of sight for weeks at a time! 
Not for all the gold in the Klondike!” said father hastily. 
“Then perhaps it will be Washington,—or Oregon—or Cali- 


12 


Equal Suffrage Program for the 


fomia?” Father was thoughtful for some time and we 
children began to get excited for we thought of all the 
oranges, bananas and poppies in California! But father 
and mother never liked to have us “chip in,” as George 
says, at such a time, so we waited. “Not Washington,—nor 
California,—nor Oregon,” father said finally. “These states 
have been over-boomed, the good land is owned by the rich 
men, the struggle between the rich and the poor in these 
Pacific states is very bitter.” Then said mother, moving her 
finger over the map, “Shall it be Idaho?” “Not Idaho,” 
father promptly answered, “that state is largely a lava 
bed where the few desirable spots are already owned and 
held at a prohibitive figure. Nor Arizona,” continued 
father, “which is composed mostly of Mexicans, mountain 
scenery and cactus. Nor Utah, where we would see on 
every hand the results of polygamy, if not polygamy itself. 
Wyoming? I should like to live in Wyoming because it 
was the pioneer in equal suffrage ranks. But Wyoming is 
too much of a sage brush desert to suit my purposes,” he 
added regretfully. “Colorado,” he continued, “has been the 
state of anarchy for the past dozen years, where laboring 
men and capitalists are blowing each other up and shoot¬ 
ing each other down! No, not Colorado.” “Well, then,” 
said mother, brightening, “by the process of elimination it 
must be Kansas, for Kansas is the only other equal suffrage 
state.” We children weren't happy at that, for somehow 
not one of us had picked out Kansas, so we listened breath¬ 
lessly to what father should say. “Yes, Emily, it may be 
Kansas, with its great fields of alfalfa and winter wheat, 
its rich soil and progressive people. We could be most happy 
in Kansas, were it not for just one thing. There is a better 
state just north.” At that John exclaimed, “Hurrah for Ne¬ 
braska, where there are a greater variety of nest-building 
birds than in any other state! My bird book says so!” And 
Bess added enthusiastically, “Nebraska! Where there are 
a greater number of wild grasses than in New York or any 
other state, our teacher told us so.” Mother's face lighted 
in a way it does at times and she said, “Nebraska has led all 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


13 


the states for years in having the largest per cent of her 
people able to read and write. And don't you recall how 
Susan described the Nebraska skies? She said there were 
none finer in Italy than those of Western Nebraska." 
Father smiled at our enthusiasm and went on: “Nebraska 
is younger than Kansas and less developed. There is less 
rock and more smooth prairie. The population is only two- 
thirds that of Kansas, while the state has practically the 
same area. Figures show that Nebraska raises more wealth 
upon her farms for each family engaged in farming than 
is shown by any other state in the Union. Nebraska has 
given the world Arbor Day, which means the planting of 
trees and the creation of homes. That's the reason, chil¬ 
dren, why the little children born in Nebraska are, by an 
act of the legislature, called ‘tree-planters.’ The first home¬ 
stead in the United States was taken in Nebraska. Ne¬ 
braska people are composed of the best class of American- 
born citizens and, besides these, colonies of industrious and 
intelligent Germans, Irish, Swedes, Bohemians and Pol- 
anders, all of whom have blended into a most interesting 
community. The Nebraska women! I wish, Emily, you 
might know the Nebraska women! They are a compliment 
to the human race! They were the bravest of pioneers and 
are the best of wives and mothers! The young women do 
three-fourths of the teaching in Nebraska's splendid pub¬ 
lic schools and carry off the honors as students at the Ne¬ 
braska State University! Nebraska men, too, are a fine com¬ 
pany! They have led in successful farming and business 
and are now showing great interest in conservation. They 
need more than anything else just now to adopt progressive 
principles in their government and policies of state which 
shall invite the best and most progressive people to continue 
to settle in their midst. A great opportunity is theirs this 
fall when they vote upon the equal suffrage amendment. 
If this amendment carries it will bring justice to those 
splendid Nebraska women and also it will bring to Ne¬ 
braska thousands of other families determined to make 
their homes in a wideawake, progressive state. I have faith 


14 


Equal Suffrage Program for the 


that Nebraska men will rise to their opportunity and place 
Nebraska upon the map as the eleventh and best of all the 
equal suffrage states.” “Hurrah for Nebraska!” we all 
shouted. “Hurrah for the eleventh white state!” And 
now we shall watch with every mail for suffrage news from 
Nebraska, for that determines whether or not we shall go 
to Nebraska to make our home! 


FIVE VOTERS 

(Tableau) 

Arrange stage as voting place. A three-panel screen 
will do for voting booth. Five boys in costumes of negro, 
dude, black-hand-man, drunkard and good citizen. Girl 
dressed in white stands at one side and watches the men 
cast their ballots. 


THE OLD SETTLERS’ VIEW 

We talked about the dugout days 
The other night around a blaze 
Of chunks chopped from Nebraska trees 
We planted back in sixty-eight: 

The twisted hay fire’s smoky tease, 

The dirt floor rug beneath our feet, 

The shingled sod, the worn tin plate, 
Came back their story to repeat 
When we set out to build the state. 




Seventh and Eighth Grades 


15 


A pioneer rose up and said: 

“Jest skelp fur me my old gray head 
“Ef Fd a-ever held my claim 
“Except fur my Almiry Jane; 

“She kep' the county taxes paid,— 

“She held the fort that Injin raid,— 

“She argid in the days of drouth 
“That luck would turn as sure as Fate, 

“That God would fill His children's mouths 
“And give us help to build the state." 

A homesteader (his eyes were wet,) 

Spoke next: “I never shall forget 
“The hard times that we struggled through, 
“The sickness and the mortgage, too;— 
“Nor, when the welcome children came 
“And played about our sod house claim 
“Who fought for our first district school, 
“And held her own in joint debate 
“Till neighbors said, That them should rule 
“ 'As raised the children for the State.'" 

So first one, then the other 'greed 
That woman folks had done the deed; 

Had held the homestead on the plains 
Through years of drouth and years of rain; 
Had given men the grit to stay 
When they would rather run away; 

Had planted church and public school, 

Had raised the children, strong and straight: 
So we’re all headed fur Home Rule: 

Let the women vote who build the State! 


16 


Equal Suffrage Program for the 


A SONG OF SUFFRAGE 

(Air: “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”) 

(Let twelve girls give a marching drill, and sing the following 
song, afterwards. Each one of the twelve bears the name on a sash 
or banner of an equal suffrage state, with the date when the franchise 
was given. Alaska is included in the number, also Nebraska, 1914.) 

Our eyes have seen the coming of the equal suffrage cause, 
Though “antis” may deride us, in our march, we’ll never 
pause, 

They may hope to stay our progress and may pick a mil¬ 
lion flaws, 

But we’ll keep marching on. 

Chorus 

Equal, equal, equal suffrage states 
Equal, equal, equal suffrage states 
Equal, equal, equal suffrage states 
And we’ll keep marching on. 

2 

We represent the band of equal suffrage states, 

Each granting rights to women at very different dates, 
We’re working well together, man and woman, equal mates, 
And we are marching on. [Chorus] 

3 

There’s Washington, and Oregon and California, too, 

Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, good and true, 

Utah, Arizona and you see we’re quite a few, 

While we keep marching on. [Chorus] 

4 

’Twas great to have Alaska hear the equal suffrage call, 
Illinois and plucky Kansas did not hesitate at all, 

And Nebraska, dear Nebraska will be with us in the fall, 
While we keep marching on. [Chorus] 


UNCLE SAM’S GALLANTRY 

(Tableau) 

Uncle Sam and Columbia in costume. Uncle Sam pre¬ 
sents large bouquet with placard, “The Ballot,” to Columbia. 
(Columbia bows but remains seated.) 



Seventh and Eighth Grades 


17 


EQUAL SUFFRAGE SENTIMENTS 

(The teacher will use these as she thinks best. A few or all of 
them might be given by several students, from the platform or from 
the floor.) 

Abraham Lincoln : “I go for all sharing the privileges 
of the government who assist in bearing its burdens. By 
no means excluding women!” 

James Bryce: “No country owes more to its women 
than America.” 

Rev. Charles Aked, San Francisco: “Nothing since 
the Coming of Christ ever promised so much for the ulti¬ 
mate good of the human race as the intellectual, moral and 
political emancipation of woman.” 

James Freeman Clarke : “I leave to others to speak 
of suffrage as a right or a privilege. I speak of it as a 
duty. What right have you women to leave all this work 
of caring for the country to men? Is it not your country 
as well as theirs? Are not your children to live in it 
after you are gone? And are you not bound to contribute 
whatever faculty God has given you to make it and keep 
it a pure, safe and happy land?” 

Maud Adams: “When women begin to use their 

brains and think for themselves they believe in equal suf¬ 
frage.” 

Will Irwin: “The worst thing about woman's suf¬ 
frage is that there is no argument against it.” 

Mary Johnston : “The pivotal mistake was in letting 
women learn the alphabet.” 

Selma Lagerlof: “Woman's creation is the home, 
man's creation is the state. The home at its best at present 
is better than the state. Woman had and has man for her 
helper in making the home. Man needs woman as his helper 
in making the state.” 


18 


Equal Suffrage Program for the 


Resolution Adopted at a General Session of the 
Nebraska State Teachers' Association at Omaha, Novem¬ 
ber 8, 1912: "Since the great and grave responsibility of the 
teachers of our country is the training of the youth to real¬ 
ize the duties, rights and privileges of citizenship, and since 
the ability adequately to accomplish this work demands not 
only the knowledge of the functions of citizenship but also 
the right to exercise them, we favor the granting of the 
right of suffrage to the women of our state." 

James E. Delzell, State Superintendent: "I was more 
than pleased to have the State Teachers' Association go on 
record in favor of giving the right of suffrage to the women 
of Nebraska. I am pleased to know equal suffrage litera¬ 
ture is being sent to the different schools so that the pupils 
of the the schools may become familiar with the suffrage 
movement. It is only a matter of time until equality of 
suffrage will be granted to all women in the United States.” 

C. A. Fulmer, Chancellor Wesleyan University: "I 
know of no reason why suffrage should not be extended to 
women. I know of many reasons why it should. I believe 
that woman suffrage would elevate standards of civiliza¬ 
tion and of citizenship. I am heartily in favor of it.” 

Dr. Fred Morrow Fling, University of Nebraska: 
"There is no truth in the statement that women unsex them¬ 
selves when they participate in the public welfare move¬ 
ments. They don’t become real women until they have 
reached these heights. It is a loss to society when but one- 
half of its members participate in the work for the good of 
society. Only by an equal participation will we attain to the 
highest degree of perfection.” 

Dr. Lawrence Abbott, Outlook: "I am a comparative¬ 
ly recent convert. I find that almost every woman who 
faces for herself or for others the economic problem believes 
in and hopes for suffrage.” 

Theodore Roosevelt: "It is the right of woman to 
have the ballot; it is the duty of man to give it and we all 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


19 


need woman's help as we try to solve the many and terrible 
problems set before us." 

Hon. David J. Brewer, Justice U. S. Supreme 
Court: “Female suffrage will not debase the home or lessen 
its power and influence. On the other hand it will intro¬ 
duce a refining and uplifting power into our political life." 

Hon. Robt. M. LaFollette, U. S. Senator from Wis¬ 
consin : “I have always believed in woman suffrage to the 
same extent as man suffrage for the reason that the inter¬ 
ests of men and women are not superior nor antagonistic 
one to the other, but are mutual and inseparable." 

Gifford Pinchot: “Equal suffrage is coming, as it 
ought to come, for the good and sufficient reason that to the 
welfare of the race, and its future, the work and point of 
view of the woman is more important than the work and 
point of view of the men." 

Mary E. Woolley, President of Mt. Holyoke College: 
“The time will come when one shall look back upon the argu¬ 
ments against granting the suffrage to women with as much 
incredulity as we now read the arguments against their 
education." 

Julia Ward Howe: “The weapon of Christian war¬ 
fare is the ballot, which represents the peaceful assertion of 
conviction.” 

Jane Addams, Hull House, Chicago: “May we not 
fairly say that American women need the ballot in order 
to preserve the home?" 

Dr. G. E. Howard, University of Nebraska: “I believe 
in woman suffrage because it is humanly right and socially 
just. Because it will benefit woman herself. Because more 
and more modern law and administration concern the things 
in which woman has been expert. Because the ballot is 
needed to stop the exploitation of the labor of women and 
children through low wages for high service, thus driving 
men out of employment. Because eventually it will do 


20 Equal Suffrage Program for the 

away with the dual standard of morality. Because every¬ 
where experts in the study of social science and the great 
leaders of democracy are for equal suffrage: while every¬ 
where, without exception, the vicious and predatory inter¬ 
ests are against it. Because wherever women have had the 
ballot they have made active and wise use of it.” 

Mrs. Woolsey: ‘‘Russia was the first government in 
Christian Europe to grant wives the right to individually 
hold and control property, the first government to grant to 
large numbers of women any political recognition. Through¬ 
out the length and breadth of that vast empire, wives are 
mistresses of their own fortunes and all woman-household¬ 
ers can vote either direct or by proxy in municipal matters.” 

Ida Husted Harper: “Not a majority of any class, 
even of men, ever demanded the franchise. It will be 
granted to women when the majority of men can be brought 
to see that it is as much a woman's right as a man's, and 
when political exigencies will allow them to vote according 
to their convictions.” 

H. H. Gardner : “A sovereign race cannot be born of 
subject mothers.” 

Bishop Keane, Cheyenne, Wyoming: “As to the Cath¬ 
olic women in my diocese, I do not find that the right of 
suffrage has drawn them either out of their homes or out 
of the church, and I think there need be no fear of that 
result in California.” 

Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid: “It fills me with joy 
when I think of the many changes that will be brought about 
when women have the right of suffrage. They will defy the 
politicians, and vote as any Christian man should and would 
vote if he had the moral courage.” 

Father Duan, Eau Claire, Wisconsin: “The Catholic 
church has taken no position on the suffrage question. My 
personal opinion is that there is no reason why every wo¬ 
man should not be given the right to vote. Women have 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


21 


as much intelligence as men, and could cast their ballots 
as intelligently on the public questions as most of the men.” 

Bishop Scannell, Omaha, Nebraska: “Why should 
men try to keep women from voting? If they want the bal¬ 
lot I, for one, can see no moral reason why they should not 
have it. I am sure that a majority of good women are cap¬ 
able mentally and morally of voting just as intelligently as 
men of the same class.” 


22 


Equal Suffrage Program for the 


PETITIONING IN HARVEY 

(Characters in the play: 9 boys, 4 girls) 

Ezra Biggers, groceryman, wears a dirty apron. 

Mamie Biggers, clerk, hair done exaggeratedly, chews gum. 

Jim Wheatley, loafer. 

Joe Nickerson, loafer, young. 

Lucy Frayne, widow, suffragist. 

Mary Mallory, college graduate, suffragist. 

Squire Tutt, village skinflint, elderly, seedy. 

Professor Straight, principal of village school, middle aged, pleasant. 
Eckto Carpus, old negro, poor but polite. 

Doctor Baines, obstinate old soul, worthy and kind hearted. 

Mrs. Gabby, a model disciplinarian. 

Tommy Gabby, an imp of mischief whom discipline does not disturb. 
Reverend White, young minister with high ideals. 

The play is built elastically and can be lengthened or shortened 
as to the needs of the program. 

The setting may be elaborate or simple according to the wish 
of the producer. 

A teacher’s desk, covered with a cloth reaching to the floor, serves 
as a counter. Some baskets of apples, potatoes or other vegetables dis¬ 
tributed about, several packages of breakfast food on the counter, 
some canned goods, will add to the effect of the old fashioned country 
store. Also the stove may be replaced by a cracker barrel as a center 
of attraction for the loafers. They whittle and play checkers and 
talk in low tones. Biggers helps them when not busy. Suffragists 
reading their pamphlets while other action goes on. 

SCENE: 

Biggers’ corner grocery. Ezra Biggers behind the counter; 

Mamie, his assistant, in corner reading a novel; his apron is 
smeary, she chews gum. Jim Wheatley and Joe Nickerson by 
the stove whittling. 

B.—Fine mornin’, all right, boys. The weather clerk 
don’t send better weather anywhere than he does to Har¬ 
vey. 


Jim —Naw. (Pause.) They had a shootin’ match at 
Luke Bixby’s yestiddy. 

B.—Who shot? 

Jim—S ame oP crowd. But who do ye think won the 
prize? 

B.—Who, Bart Taylor? 

Jim—N aw. Mrs. Billy Dexter. She an’ Billy come 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


23 


over, all togged up in cityfied clo’es, an' Fll be gum-swizzled 
if she couldn’t outshoot the whole bunch. What won’t wo¬ 
men do next? 

B.—We’ll have a women’s army, I reckon? They hed 
a meetin’ at Mis’ Baines last week to circulate a petition 
for women suffrage here in Harvey. Mary Mallory and 
Lucy Frayne are goin’ to pass it ’round. One of ’em’s goin’ 
to stay here and ask all my customers and the other’n will 
be makin’ a house to house canvass. Ain’t that the limit? 

Joe —Here comes Mis’ Frayne now. 

Enter Lucy Frayne with paper and pamphlets. 

Lucy —A fine morning, Mr. Biggers. Won’t you re¬ 
consider your last night’s decision not to sign our petition ? 

B.—I couldn’t do it, Mrs. Frayne. It’s agin my prin¬ 
ciples. 

Lucy —Well, anyhow, it’s kind of you to let us use your 
store as a station. May I have this corner? (Arranges 
chair comfortably, puts papers on small table.) Wouldn’t 
you sign up, Mr. Wheatley and Mr. Nickerson? 

Joe —As Mr. Biggers says, it’s agin my principles, 
ma’am. 

Jim —Same here, ma’am. 

Lucy —Why, gentlemen, why? 

Jim—O h, I jist don’t believe in it, that’s all. 

Joe —Same here, ma’am. 

Lucy —Well, take these papers and read a bit in them. 
They may serve to change your belief. (Gives papers and 
and returns to table.) 

Enter Professor Straight. 

B.—Howdy, Professor. What kin I do fer you? 

Prof.—M y wife sent down this list of things. Will 
you put them up for me? (Gives list.) 

B.— (Reads list to himself.) We ain’t got no 
dines in. 


sar- 


24 


Equal Suffrage Program for the 


Prof. —Never mind, Give me a bottle of pickles instead. 
I don't like sardines. (Biggers moves away collecting ar¬ 
ticles and wrapping them. Lucy comes forward with paper 
in hand.) 

Lucy —Professor Straight, I wish to ask a favor of 
you. Will you give us your signature on this petition for 
woman suffrage? 

Prof. —A Suffrage Petition? Good! Pm glad one is 
being circulated here. I am heartily in favor of it. I 
should like to have every school teacher, at least, a voting 
citizen. (Signs.) I wouldn’t hire a Swede to teach me 
Italian, and I don’t believe in hiring persons who are not 
citizens and never can become such, to teach children citi¬ 
zenship. (Biggers approaches with an enormous collection 
of packages.) Good heavens, Biggers, are those all mine? 
My charge account will go soaring this month. (Holds out 
his arms.) Here, pile ’em on. (Biggers stacks the pack¬ 
ages awkwardly, some of them drop. Mrs. Frayne picks 
up the last one and puts it in the heap in his arms.) Thank 
you, Mrs. Frayne. Good morning. (Goes out carefully.) 

Enter Mary Mallory in haste. Rushes up to Lucy and 
takes her hand. 

Mary—M y dear, I hurried just as much as I could but I 
had to sew a button on my coat and I had the most trouble 
with it. How is the work going? 

Lucy —Why, well, my dear. Professor Straight has 
signed already this morning, and I got forty on the list yes¬ 
terday. You probably won’t get so many in the morning; 
the afternoon is when you meet most of them. Well, I 
must fly away to my canvassing. I’m late already. 

Mary —Luck to you, Lucy. Where’s the pencil? (Lucy 
hands her pencil and goes out. Mary settles herself at the 
table and rearranges papers.) 

Mary (to Mamie)—Why, hello, Mamie; I didn’t see 
you before. Have you read any of our suffrage literature? 

Mamie —Oh gee! no. I’d rather read this. (Holds up 
novel.) It’s awful excitin’. 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


25 


Mary —Well, when you finish it, look some of these 
over, won't you ? 

Mamie —Well, maybe. (Returns to her book.) 

Enter Squire Tutt , who speaks through his nose. 

Sq. T.—Good mornin', Biggers, good mornin\ 

B.—Mornin', Squire. 

Sq. T.—Haow do ye sell yer coffee, Biggers? 

B.—Got some 40c a pound, some 50, some 30 and— 
Which'll ye have, Squire? 

Sq. T.—I never did b’lieve in drinkin' such expensive 
stuff. S'manthy’s sick this mornin'. What kind does she 
generally git ? 

B.—Mis' Tutt usually gits the 30c, but this here 40c is 
mighty fine, lemme tell ye. 

Sq. T.—Thirty cents a paound! We'll have ter quit 
drinkin' coffee. Ain't ye got any cheaper? 

B. (Leans over to Sq. T.)—Well, Squire, we got one 
package the rats got at down suller and I could let ye have 
a pound fer 15c, I reckon. It's regular 30c brand. But I 
feel kinda squeamish about sellin' it. 

Sq. T.—Wrap me up a paound then. (He counts out 
the money from a full purse, two nickels and four pennies.) 
I can't locate that other cent, Biggers, ye'll have to give it 
to me fer fourteen. 

B.—I'll jest weigh it a little short, Squire, and that'll 
make it all right. (Puts money in drawer and starts down 
cellar. Squire proceeds toward front door. Mary comes 
toward him with her paper and pencil.) 

Mary —Good morning, Squire Tutt. 

Sq. T.—Mornin', Miss Mallory. Haow's yer ma? 

Mary —Why, she's quite well this morning, thank you, 
Squire. I wonder if you wouldn't give me your signature 
for this petition here. We are trying to get the most in¬ 
fluential men in every community into our movement and 
so I am asking you among the first. 


26 Equal Suffrage Program for the 

Sq. T. (Pleased)—Wal, yes, I hev been accaounted a 
inflooential citizen of Harvey. My name ud get a whole lot 
of signers, I reckon. What is it, some church workin’s? 
(In sudden fright) Ye don’t hev to pay anything do ye? 

Mary —Oh no, no money required, Squire. This is a 
Votes for Women petition. 

SQ.—Votes for Women! Why, Mary Mallory, what 
does your ma say abaout this? 

Mary —Mother is glad to have me do it. Won’t you 
sign here, please? I know that you would be willing to 
give us women a chance. 

Sq. T.—Wimmin’s place is at home, takin’ care of the 
household. They ain’t got no business in politics. Why, 
the wimmin wouldn’t know nothin’ abaout it. Wimmin 
votin’, indeed! I’m surprised, surprised! Don’t St. Paul 
say, “Let the wimmin keep silent in the churches?” They 
ain’t got no business in politics. 

Mary —Squire Tutt, when politics is on the same plane 
as the church is, we women will be perfectly willing to keep 
silent. But as it is, we rather want to go in and elevate 
politics. You know your wife can do a thoro’ job house¬ 
cleaning at home, she can run a house on a mighty small 
allowance of money, she can read the newspapers as well 
as you can, and I don’t see why she couldn’t vote as in¬ 
telligently. She would know how to save money in running 
an institution, anyhow. Better sign, Squire. She or some 
other woman might invent a money-saving plan of govern¬ 
ment that would cut down your taxes. 

Sq. T. (Who has grown more and more horrified dur¬ 
ing Mary’s speech)—S’manthy Tutt wantin’ to vote and 
savin’ money! Why, all wimmin are by nater extravagant, 
S’manthy specially. Why, she’s always been buyin’ 30c 
coffee an’ this very mornin’ I bot a pound for 14c. Don’t 
point that pencil at me. Wimmin can’t vote. They wasn’t 
meant to. I wouldn’t sign that paper if you was to give 
me fifty cents. (Biggers comes in and gives him package.) 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


27 


Mary —What's the matter with that coffee, Mr. Big- 
gers? (Squire takes advantage of her question to leave 
hastily.) 

B.—It wasn't nothin' to the Squire, but the rats had 
et that coffee a trifle, Mis' Mallory, and the old skinflint 
tried to jew me down a penny even then. 

Mary —But, Mr. Biggers, that's awful to sell that stuff. 

B.—Squire Tutt didn't mind, he was tickled to get it. 

Mary —But poor Mrs. Tutt. She didn't deserve it. 
Ugh, it's disgusting. 

B.—Well, that is so. I never tho't of S'manthy. But 
business is business. 

Enter Eckto Carpus. 

B.—Howdy, Uncle Eck, what can I do for you today? 

E. C.—I like tuh git some chewin' tuhbacca, suh. Fif- 
ten cents wuth, suh. (B. gets tobacco. Eck. puts down 
money.) And a five dohzen clo'es pins, suh, that's what 
mah ole women said, suh. 

B.—Hey, Marne, git those clo'es pins out of the stock- 
room. (Marne throws down book she is reading and 
leaves.) What else Uncle Eck? 

E. C.—An' a quahteh’s wuth of sugah, suh. (Counts 
on his fingers.) There's tuhbacca, there's clo'es pins, there's 
sugah. That's all, suh. Mah ole woman just named them 
three fingehs, suh. There's the money. 

(Mamie brings clothes pins, snapping one at Jim 
Wheatley as she passes, Jim dodges, then picks up the pin 
and proceeds to whittle at it. Mary advances on Uncle 
Eck as he is leaving. Biggers goes back to the stove and 
talks quietly with the loafers. Mamie resumes her book.) 

Mary —Good morning, Uncle Eck. 

E. C.—Why mornin', Miss Mallory, mornin'. 

Mary —Uncle Eck, you lived in the South before the 
war, didn't you? 

E. C.—W'y, yes, suah, Ah did, Miss Mallory. I use' 


28 


Equal Suffrage Program for the 


teh belong to Mass' Jim Carpus. Lawsy, but he was a 
niggah driveh. Lawsee! But I been votin' as good as he 
fuh nigh onto fifty yeahs, Miss Mallory. 

Mary —Then, Uncle Eck, you know what it is not to 
be a voting citizen. Will you sign my petition for women 
suffrage ? 

E. C.—Women sufferage? Lawsee, Miss Mallory, 
what' dat? 

Mary —Why, for women's votes, Uncle Eck, to let 
them be voting citizens just as you are. 

E. C.—No ma’hm, no ma’hm, Ah cain’t sign no such 
petition. Ah cain't sign it. 

Mary —But, why not? Don't you think women know 
enough ? 

E. C.—Oh yes ma'hm, yes ma’hm, but Ah don’t know 
nuff about it. Ah cain't sign it, ma’hm. 

Mary —Well, will you take these books home and read 
up about it? Maybe you will be convinced. 

E. C.—Well, I reckon I could tote them there. (Takes 
papers.) Mah old woman kin read it out to me. But Ah 
cain't sign that petition, Miss Mallory, Ah cain’t write. 
(The last words are spoken as he backs toward the door 
and he goes out just after he finishes.) 

Mary —Poor Uncle Eck! Well, he's lucky to have a 
wife who can read things out for him. That's one case 
where the woman has a voting representative all right. 
Those were the last of my pamphlets; I must go and get 
some more. Will you keep my things, Mamie? (Goes out 
hurriedly.) 

B.-Well, don’t it beat all what fool notions wimmin do git 
up. I wouldn't sign a petition for them to vote, well I guess 
not. Why, over in Poundville, in my cousin's grocery, the 
wimmin made him throw away a whole load of canned 
goods that he'd got extra cheap and was a makin' good 
money on. They wasn't nothin' the matter with 'em, ex¬ 
cept they was puffed out at the ends kinda round. Them 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


29 


wimmin said they was “blown cans” and had spoilt and 
the gas inside had puffed 'em up that way. They made 
him throw the whole bunch in the river. Said some non¬ 
sense about the Poor Feed Law. If they can do that with¬ 
out votin', what couldn't they do with it? I don't sign no 
petition. 

Jim W.—Ner me, neither. If my maw had her way, 
she'd shut up every saloon in town, an' where 'ud a thirsty 
body get a drink? Wimmin votin' 'ud spoil lots of good 
business, by Heck! 

Joe N.—Most wimmen don't want to vote, anyhow. 
Oh say, Marne, do you want to vote or would yeh rather go 
to the show with me tomorrow night? 

Mame —Oh gee, Joe, I'll go to the show. I ain’t old 
enough to vote, nohow. Glory be, I’m just crazy about that 
show. 

Joe —See, girls don't care about votin' at all. Let's go 
get the mail, Mame. 

Mame—C an I go, Mr. Biggers? 

B.—All right, Mame, but hurry back. (Mame and Joe 
leave.) 

Enter Doctor Baines with suitcase. 

B.—Hello, Doc, when did you get back? How was the 
convention ? 

Doc.—Howdy, Biggers, howdy. I just came back in 
my car. The convention was great. But we were so pest¬ 
ered with Women Suffrage delegates that medical matters 
got kind of pushed into the background. Women hadn't 
ought to vote, anyhow. 

B.—Good land, Doc, are they everywhere? Mary Mal¬ 
lory's been here all mornin' pesterin' every man that comes 
in to sign her petition. 

Doc.—Well, for evermore! I never listen to their ar¬ 
guments, all claptrap, women's logic, I suppose. 

B.—Well, Mary Mallory is a good talker all right. She 
can out-talk most anybody. 


30 Equal Suffrage Program for the 

Doc.—But they can't have any arguments. Why, na¬ 
ture never intended them to do a man's work, and voting 
is a man's work undoubtedly. Why, here she comes. I'll 
just stay and her what the lady has to say. 

Enter Mary with papers, which she drops hastily 
on the counter . 

Mary —Why, Doctor Baines, I've just been wishing you 
were in town. I have a document here that needs your 
signature. Will you sign and come into the ranks of suf¬ 
fragists ? 

Doc.—My dear young lady, I certainly shall not. 
(Bows.) You are quite charming enough to influence the 
voters without possessing a vote also. I think that the in¬ 
direct vote of the ladies is quite powerful enough for them. 

Mary —Doctor, do you vote the way your wife tells 
you, always? Which side of the electric light bonds ques¬ 
tion did you take? 

Doc.—I was emphatically against them. The old acety¬ 
lene plant was perfectly adequate to the needs of Harvey. 
But what has that to do with the matter? 

Mary —Nothing much, only Mrs. Baines wanted the 
lights to go through. She wasn't very well represented 
then. 

Doc.—Well, yes, Mathilda was rather strong on that 
subject. But the bonds carried, confound them. That is 
another point, though. The husband and wife voting 
might simply nullify each other. 

Mary —But, Doctor, the votes of twenty democrats will 
nullify the votes of twenty republicans, won't they? But 
that doesn't debar the democrats from voting. 

Doc.—Well, no. But think of the additional cause for 
quarrelling between families; the divorces political squab¬ 
bles might cause. 

Mary —It hasn't proved that way. The judges in the 
suffrage states have yet to have the first divorce case re¬ 
ported in which political differences is the cause. This 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


31 


pamphlet tells you all about it. Judges from Wyoming, 
Utah, Kansas, California (even Nevada) have reports here. 
(Gives him pamphlet.) 

Doc.—Er—you don’t say! But I really hadn’t looked 
into the matter. Of course a great many women will vote 
as their husbands tell them to. 

Mary —Oh, come, Doctor, you musn’t contradict your¬ 
self. But even if I do concede you both those arguments, 
your last one isn’t much better than the other. You have 
just said that men now vote according to the influence of 
their women folk; I cannot understand how women voting 
according to the influence of their men folk would be any 
worse. And there are enough intelligent women to make a 
good showing who possess convictions of their own, even if 
your pet argument is that men must get theirs from their 
wives. 

Doc.—Young lady, hand me that petition and pencil 
before I cast any more slurs on my sex. I’m convinced 
right now and I want to sign before I can repent. (Writes 
and returns paper.) Well, I never expected this of myself. 
I guess women’s logic is rather more forceful than I esti¬ 
mated. I wish you success with all may heart. 

Mary —Why, thank you, Doctor. I was sure you 
wouldn’t fail me. I do not believe you will repent. (Exit 
Doctor.) Thank goodness I’ve actually got one convert. 
And the Doctor is usually so obstinate. 

B.— (From where he has been playing checkers with 
Jim W.)—Well, for Heck’s sake, the Doc. has signed! 

Enter Mamie tvith the mail, which she dumps on the counter . 

Mamie —Here’s the mail. It’s ’bout time for the next 
train. 

Jim —Well, guess I better go see if she’s on time. What 
’d a body do if there wasn’t trains to watch come and go? 
S’ long, Biggers. (Exit.) 

(Biggers opens mail. Mrs. Gabby and Tommy come 
in just as Jim goes out. Tommy makes a dive for basket 
of apples.) 


32 


Equal Suffrage Program for the 


Mrs. Gabby —Tommy, let them alone. (To Mamie) I 
want to git some soap. Tommy! (Tommy eats apple) Put 
that down! (Tommy replaces apple and as soon as his 
mother isn't looking, takes another.) How do you sell soap 
today? Washin' soap, I mean. Tommy, come right here 
to your maw! 

Mamie —Six bars for a quarter, Lenox, and five of 
Rose White. Which'll you have. 

(Mrs. Gabby reaches for Tommy, who dodges.) 

Mrs. G.—I guess I'll try Rose White. Tommy! Gimme 
a quarter's worth. (Turns and sees Mary.) Why, Mary 
Mallory, are you here yet? I been hearin' that you been 
askin' people to sign for votes for women all mornin'. 
Whatever is in your head ? 

Enter Rev. White , who trades quietly with Mamie. 

Mary —Why, I think it is a duty of women to vote, 
Mrs. Gabby. Don’t you ? 

Mrs. G.—Land sakes, no! That’s the one thing that 
men can do now, without women's help, and for goodness 
sake, let 'em go on doin' it. (Tommy disappears behind coun¬ 
ter.) Women ought to stay at home and mind their chil¬ 
dren. Tommy! Why, where is that child? (Biggers, who 
has been reading his mail, jumps and yells.) 

B.—Here he is, the young rapscallion! He stuck me 
with a pin! Oooh! 

Mrs. G.—Why, Tommy, you must never do that again. 
Come right away from here. You can carry the soap. 
Come on Tommy. (Goes out hurriedly.) 

Rev. White (with packages, passing Mary, bowing) — 
A pleasant morning, Miss Mary. 

Mary —Beautiful, Mr. White. Can you give me a little 
time now? 

Rev.—A t your service, of course. 

Mary —Are you willing to sign my petition for Woman 
Suffrage ? 

Rev. (Surprised) — A petition for Woman Suffrage! 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


33 


You asking that? Why, I had always thought of you as a 
womanly woman, not a modern masculine product! 

Mary —And where is it not womanly, my friend? 

Rev. —Politics is no place for a woman. Her sphere is 
the home; the center and circumference of family life is in 
her keeping. The polls is no place for her womanly dignity. 
I cannot imagine my mother in a voting booth. She left the 
outside work to men, and kept her home a sacred place and 
holy. I would have all women do so. 

Mary —Was your mother ever willing to have her chil¬ 
dren be in places which were not fit for her presence? 

Rev.—W hy no, of course not. 

Mary —Then I should think she would have objected to 
your voting if the polls were not fit for her. You say the 
home is woman’s sphere, and you are right; it is so. But 
will you bound your home by four house walls? The in¬ 
dustry of home making now includes the grocery, the bak¬ 
ery, the dry-goods store, for the physical needs of the home 
are no longer supplied from within; cooking and weaving 
and all the household ministry has gone into the hands of 
specialists, and she who makes the best home is she who 
best commands the services of these. The modern home 
is not self-sufficient. It must appeal to the community for 
existence. You cannot shut it within the picket fence 
around your little grass plot. In order, then, to accomplish 
that part of her business that lies outside her own yard, a 
woman must take part in the life of the city. And how can 
she do that effectively without a ballot. 

Rev. —There is something in what you say, Miss Mary. 
I had not thought of that. 

Mary —You know, a great man said: “The home is 
where the heart is.” And where is a mother’s heart but 
with her children? They go out into the world where she 
has no power to safeguard them—where they most need her 
care. They must appeal to law for aid or safety. Why not 
let her follow them and aid them still? Let the law rep- 


34 Equal Suffrage Program for the 

resent her thought and great care for them, her children, 
as well as the give-and-take code of men. 

Rev. —You are right. It would be worth while. Give 
me the paper. (Signs.) I thank you for giving me the 
opportunity. 

Mary —I am glad to have given it. It it almost noon. 
I must be going home for dinner. 

Rev.—I am going your way. I will go with you. 
(Exeunt together.) 

B.—Well, by Heck, she’s convinced the Doc and the 
Preacher, and the Professor was already in favor of it. I 
reckon I’ll have to take some of them books home and read 
’em over. You kin keep store till I git back from dinner, 
Mamie. (Exit.) 

(Mamie takes out hand mirror and powder puff and 
powders her nose. Picks up novel and throws it down. 
Finally grasps suffrage pamphlet and opens it.) 

Mamie —Well, if everybody is goin’ to read this stuff 
I guess I better, too. Glory, I wonder how it would feel 
to vote? Reads.) 


(Curtain) 


Seventh and Eighth Grades 


WE'LL WIN, PEOPLE 

(Air: “Good Night, Ladies”) 

We'll win, people; we'll win, people; 

We'll win, people; 

We're going to win our cause. 
Merrily we’ll capture votes, capture votes, 
Capture votes, 

Merrily we'll capture votes 
On Election Day! 


A 





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